How Do I: Use the Word Add-in for Business Central Report Layouts
The Dynamics 365 Business Central Word add-in is a free Microsoft Word extension that simplifies designing Word layouts for document reports by enabling easy field insertion, layout comments, and conditional content hiding based on data values. The add-in requires Business Central version 25 or later, with full data picker functionality in version 27 and later.
post think about IT
"The add-in has grown steadily since then, and this post covers what it can do today and how to use it."
Key points
- The Word add-in provides a task pane for inserting data fields, labels, and report information into layouts without manual workarounds
- Multiple hide controls automatically remove content when empty: Hide Field if Zero, Hide Empty Table, Hide Empty Table Row, and Hide Empty Table Column
- Layout comments can be embedded directly in Word files to document design decisions without affecting printed output
- The add-in works only with data already in the report; adding new fields or complex conditional logic requires developer involvement
- Word layouts still lack advanced features found in RDLC layouts such as conditional formatting, calculated aggregations, and complex page controls
Quotes
- “The add-in has grown steadily since then, and this post covers what it can do today and how to use it.” (Establishes that the Word add-in is an evolving feature with recent improvements worth understanding)
- “Controlling what appears and what stays hidden depending on the data in the document required either manual workarounds or developer involvement.” (Explains the problem the add-in solves, making document design more accessible without developer help)
- “Word layouts are genuinely easier to work with for straightforward document design, and the add-in has made real progress.” (Provides balanced perspective on when Word layouts are appropriate versus when RDLC remains necessary)
Context
- Features: Word add-in for report layouts, Data field insertion, Layout comments, Hide Field if Zero, Hide Empty Table, Hide Empty Table Row, Hide Empty Table Column, Data picker task pane
- Versions: 25, 27, 28
Source: think about IT - Steven Renders, community blog. Summary, key points and quotes are derived (CONTENT-NOTICE.md); read the original for the full text.